Racer Jessi Combs Killed In Desert Crash While Trying to Set Land Speed Record
By Gary Trock on August 28, 2019 at 7:35 AM EDT
Professional racer and speed junkie, Jessi Combs, has died at the age of 36 after she crashed in Oregon while trying to set a new land speed world record.
According to The Harney County Sheriff’s Office, they received a call Tuesday around 4 PM of a crash that occurred in a dry lake bed out in the Alvord Desert.
The location of the crash was just southeast of Steens Mountain, and the Combs died instantly.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and we're told officials are trying to determine what exactly happened while Combs was trying to set a land speed record.
The area is popular for racers trying to set land speed records, and was actually the same place Combs set a record back in 2013.
Back then, she broke the four-wheeled women’s land speed record at a speed of nearly 393 mph in a 52,000-horsepower, 56-foot-long, North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger, which had been customized from the body of a F-104 jet.
She did it again the following year, traveling 440 MPH, earning the nickname, "The Fastest Woman on Four Wheels."
We're told Combs was once again driving the jet-powered car, and had even been posting photos on social media leading up to the big day.
Combs was also a TV personality, as she was the co-host of the Spike TV show, "Xtreme 4x4" from 2005 to 2009. She had also made appearnaces on "Overhaulin'" and "Mythbusters."
After news broke about her death, fans of Combs immediately flooded her social media pages with messages of sadness and love.
One fan wrote,
"What an incredible young woman that lived out her dream! May her spirit live on to other young women. Rest in peace Jessi you will be greatly missed by all who knew you, my heartfelt condolences to her family in this time of loss."
Another fan expressed sadness for never getting to meet Combs at one of her many events, writing,
"A truly sad passing. She was one of the few “celebrities” I wanted to meet. Talented, strong, and a truly inspirational spirit. Thank you for touching so many lives and may your spirit and demonstration endure forever."
R.I.P.
